Childhood Obesity Risk May Be Predicted by Kindergarten Weight

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Summary: A new study by researchers at Emory University found that a child's obesity risk may be set as early as kindergarten, and maybe even earlier. The research reveals that a child who is overweight in kindergarten is four times likely to be obese as a teenager, compared to normal-weight kindergartners. The good news: In pinpointing an age of high risk, researchers believe there may be an opportunity to prevent the disease in children.

By Joanne Van Zuidam | Posted: January 30, 2014

While school programs intended to reduce childhood obesity are a good start, in some cases, they may be too late. A new study found that children who start kindergarten overweight or obese are more likely to be obese as adults. The good news: In pinpointing an age of high risk, researchers believe there may be an opportunity to prevent the disease in children.

The study, published in the January 30, 2014 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, found that overweight five-years-old were four times as likely as normal-weight children to become obese by the age of 14. While the prevalence of childhood obesity, which raises the risk of diabetes, asthma and heart disease, along with other illnesses, is known, approximately 12.5 million children in the U.S. are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The research team examined data from over 7,700 students who participated in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study of the U.S. Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999. The children's weight and height were measured seven times over the following nine years, until they were in eighth grade.

At the start of kindergarten, 12 percent of the children were obese, and 15 percent were overweight. By eighth grade, 21 percent were obese and 17 percent were overweight.

What's more, the data showed obesity decreased with age during elementary school years. More specifically, the findings showed little change in children's BMIs from 11-14 years old.

There was also a marked difference between racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The data revealed 17 percent non-Hispanic blacks and 14 percent of Hispanic became obese by eighth grade, compared to 10 percent of non-Hispanic white children. Also, children from middle-class income families had the highest rate of developing obesity.

And when the researchers compared the children's birth weight to their risk, they found about a third of the children who were obese by eighth grade weighed more at birth, 9 pounds or more, suggesting that the risk may start even earlier than the elementary or pre-school years.

"We have evidence that certain factors established before birth and during the first five years are important," lead researcher Solveig A. Cunningham, PhD, assistant professor in the Hubert Department of Global Health at Rollins School of Public Health, said in a press statement.

"Obesity-prevention efforts focused on children who are overweight by five-years-old, may be a way to target children susceptible to becoming obese later in life."

What you can do to fight childhood obesity:

Obesity may run in families, but most of the time the disease is caused by kids eating too much and exercising too little. That said, fighting obesity doesn't mean putting your child on a restricted calorie diet. Experts say a better approach is to balance healthy food with physical activity to promote healthy weight gain (and in some cases, weight maintenance) in children struggling with weight.

Schools can continue to do their part by offering nutrition-based programs and increasing physical education classes. But at home, there's a lot more that can be done. (And they're mostly small, doable lifestyle changes.)

If you're pregnant, take care to avoid gaining too much weight. Studies have linked maternal weight gain to a child's risk of obesity. And as a mom, you can help children as young as toddlers develop healthy eating and exercise habits. Eat meals as a family, stock up on healthy foods (vegetables, fruits), limit sugar-sweetened drinks and foods high in sugar and fat. Additionally, use non-food rewards for good behavior, and be sure your kids see you engaging in — and enjoying — physical activity.

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